Guarding Your Garden: Comprehensive Strategies for Protecting Plants from Pests

Fencing and Strapping:

To shield your trees from the relentless gnawing of rodents, establishing a robust perimeter is crucial. A tall palisade encircling your entire garden proves an insurmountable barrier for inquisitive animals. The elimination of mouse holes and burrows can be achieved by a thorough soil excavation in late autumn.

On a tree-by-tree basis, protective measures include wrapping trunks with fine mesh, roofing material, natural burlap, or even repurposed nylon stockings. These materials are secured using ropes or wires. Ensure at least 120 cm of the trunk, including its subterranean part, is enveloped. This bundling should be carried out before the onset of enduring frost.

An innovative alternative involves using plastic bottles and pipes of the appropriate diameter. These containers are split longitudinally and fitted around the trunk, secured with wire. It's crucial that the plastic doesn't press tightly against the plant to prevent condensation accumulation. The lower part should be firmly embedded in the soil to act as a barrier against mice.

A lapnik, constructed from coniferous tree branches, can serve as a protective hedge against rodents. These branches are fastened to the trunk in layers, creating a pyramid with needles facing downward. Though somewhat time-consuming, the results are effective. Some gardeners substitute lapnik with raspberry prunings or reeds. However, avoid using straw as it might unwittingly attract pests.

Scaring:

Scaring rodents away is one of the most humane methods of pest control, especially for hares. Hares, by nature, are skittish creatures, making them sensitive to unfamiliar noises. To deter them from your fruit orchard, consider hanging rustling black bags, aluminum can ribbons, or vibrant fabric scraps near trees and on branches. The movement and sharp sounds will startle these unwanted visitors.

Sharp odors can also spoil the appetites of pests. For instance, rodents detest the scents of mint, elderberry, and naphthalene. Hanging fragrant bundles or containers with scented tablets on lower branches is an effective means to keep pests at bay.

Coating and Spraying:

Protecting against hares can involve smearing tree trunks with a mixture of clay and mullein, diluted to a sour cream consistency. Alternatively, slaked lime can be used instead of clay.

To deter rodents, the application of whitewashing materials such as water-dispersion paint and copper sulfate is effective. Trees should be treated with these substances in late autumn. For a 10-liter solution, mix 100 g of copper sulfate with 150 g of quicklime.

When the ground begins to freeze, spraying trees with a one percent Bordeaux mixture is an option. Prepare this mixture by combining 100 g of copper sulfate and 150 g of quicklime with 10 liters of water.

Under trees, scatter sawdust soaked in creolin or lysol in advance, at a ratio of 50 g per 10 liters of water. This solution can also be blended with 2-3 kg of clay for application.

Tamping of Snow:

As soon as an adequate snow cover is present, tramping the snow around trees can deter tunneling rodents. While it may not provide 100% protection, it serves as an additional safeguard. Additionally, it benefits plants by delaying snowmelt, allowing for increased soil moisture absorption in the spring.

Poison:

The use of traps or poison for pest control is a last resort and should only be employed when pests are overwhelmingly abundant. Poisonous baits can be placed near fruit trees and burrows, primarily for mice. Pre-made chemical solutions available in hardware stores or homemade mixtures can be utilized. One homemade option includes equal parts sugar, flour, and alabaster or cement, with a few drops of sunflower oil.

To maximize protection, consider combining two or three different methods. For example, trunk wrapping and regular snow tramping around trees can be a powerful combination. Furthermore, maintaining a clean garden is essential: rake and burn fallen leaves, remove plant debris and clutter that pests favor. Alternatively, you can enlist the assistance of nature's specialists – domestic cats – to help keep your garden free from unwelcome visitors.